With India’s youth population at the centre of its growth story, the education sector sees Budget 2026 as a chance to invest in better teachers, relevant skills and stronger pathways to jobs.
As India approaches Union Budget 2026, education experts are urging a shift from infrastructure and enrolment numbers to quality learning, skilled teachers, and stronger connections between education and employment, particularly for youth in smaller towns and rural areas.
Sandeep Rai, Founder of The Circle, emphasizes that the budget should be viewed as a long-term investment in India’s future, focusing on innovative approaches to improve learning outcomes rather than just expanding schools. He highlights better teacher recruitment, public–private partnerships for model schools, and industry–school collaborations as key priorities.
Supriya Pattanayak, Vice Chancellor of Centurion University, stresses the need for skills-focused higher education to harness India’s demographic advantage. She calls for increased funding to create AI-powered, industry-linked labs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 institutions and stronger industry–academia partnerships to boost apprenticeships and employability.
Ashish Munjal, Co-founder of SUNSTONE, advocates for preparing youth for future jobs through project-based programs in AI, data science, and emerging technologies, along with improved digital learning platforms. He also highlights affordability as a major challenge and suggests interest-free loans, scholarships, and employer-sponsored learning credits to support lifelong learning.
Overall, the education sector wants Budget 2026 to prioritize teaching quality, skill development, innovation, and affordability, aiming to close skill gaps, enhance employment opportunities, and strengthen India’s economy.
